In part I we briefly discussed using a PC running windows for a home music studio. Then in part II we discussed a very general over view of pc hardware. Now in this installment we will further discuss computers but this time focusing on your operating system, and some simple tweaks you can do to squeeze some more performance out of your hardware. I’m going to assume that every one is running Windows XP, or Windows 2000. If not there will be little here that will benefit form.
If you ware running Windows the first tweak I am going to suggest it to check the start up folder and see if there are any applicators that are set to automatically start when your computer starts. This folder is found by going to Start à Programs or All Programs à then look for a folder called Startup. Next see if there are any icons in there, if there are go ahead a delete them. By deleting them you are not uninstalling the programs but just keeping it form automatically starting when the computer boots up.
Now you have noticed that Windows XP has a nice pretty interface compared to Windows 2000 and earlier. Sure pressing the green start button is so much better that pressing the gray one, but there is a cost of this “improved interface” and it does use memory and CPU cycles. This may be unnecessary on some newer computers but on old machines this can make a big difference. Again we will go to Start à then settings and then control panel, on some start menus you can go directly form Start à Control Panel. When the control panel opens up click on the Display icon then the Appearance Tab, and under Windows and buttons choose “Windows Classic” and press O.K.
Our next tweak is going to modify the page file. This is the file that windows uses when a computer has run out of system memory and your computer will start using your hard drive as memory. This is a tweak that Microsoft does not recommend but you can get any where for 7 to 20% increased performance out of your computer. Assuming that eh control panes is still open double click on the System icon à select the “Advanced” tab then under performance click on the settings button. You may also notice there is an option to change the visual settings of windows on the “Visual Effects” section. I would suggest that you select “adjust for best performance” then select apply. Next go to the “Advanced” tab and under Virtual Memory choose Change.
Windows default to set your virtual memory at the Minimum of 1.5 of your current system memory to 2 times for the Maximum. I always recommend that you set your minimum and maximum to be the same value as the maximum. The reason behind this is by using windows default; the computer is constantly resizing your page file, and using unnecessary resources to do so. By setting the min and max to a static value then your computer will not.
If you have an additional hard drive on your computer moving your paging file onto a drive that does not contain your operating system will also help performance. You will need to apply your changes and reboot your computer.
This sums up this article on tweaking windows for better performance. The last article IV in this series will discuss the actual software suite and how to use it, and some general generic concepts.
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